Johnny Coombs - Reflecting on a Decade with British Schools in the Middle East
This article was featured in the BSME Newsletter 2024-25 | Edition 3
Serving as Head of PE (HoPE) Committee Chairman of the British Schools in the Middle East from 2018 to 2025, and contributing over a decade to the committee, has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my professional life in the region. Volunteering was a cornerstone of my upbringing, and just as so many inspirational adults gave their time to enrich my childhood, I’ve sought to pay that back throughout my career in education.
I am incredibly proud of the role both myself and the BSME Heads of PE committee have played in driving the growth of school sport in the Middle East. Together, we have transformed the BSME sporting network into thriving and highly regarded fixtures in the regional school calendar. When I first joined the committee, I couldn’t have imagined the scale of impact we would go on to have, not just on schools, but on the region’s entire approach to inclusive, competitive sport.
One of the defining moments of this journey came in 2016 when, as Director of Sport at The British School Al Khubairat, I helped host our first international BSME Games at New York University Abu Dhabi. Welcoming 16 schools onto one of the Middle East’s most prestigious university campuses was both a logistical challenge and a deeply proud achievement. The event showcased top-tier facilities, created space for vibrant cultural exchange, and brought fierce but respectful competition to life. It was a landmark event—the first time the Games hosted all teams on one site with accommodation—and the addition of features like a more formal gala dinner and evening athletics made it a true spectacle. That experience sparked a lasting passion in me for hosting events that bring our community together.
Our focus has always been on meaningful growth. Over time, we expanded the Games to include U19 competitions, allowing older students to remain involved in the BSME sporting journey right through to their final school years. This not only strengthened long-term athletic development but also provided continuity and camaraderie for students who first competed in Year 5.
What began as a single annual event for each age group has since evolved into a full calendar of multiple competitions, engaging thousands of students each year. Our goal has never been merely to organise event, it has always been to foster a culture rooted in the BSME values of teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship. In doing so, we have built a strong network of educators, coaches, and students who share a collective vision for excellence.
As I reflect on how far we’ve come, from a small group of like-minded schools to the dynamic, multi-sport, multi-tiered programme we now offer, I feel immense pride. BSME has become synonymous with excellence in school sport, and I am confident that the foundations laid over the past decade will continue to inspire the next generation of student-athletes across the Middle East.
As my tenure draws to a close, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the BSME committee and our dedicated student events team, and wish Ryan Baker, the incoming Chair, every success in leading the next chapter of BSME sport.
BSME would like to offer our sincere thanks to Johnny for his outstanding contribution to the organisation.